JackRainardWahlquist

WAHLQUIST, Jack Rainard Jack Rainard Wahlquist died Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. Jack, and his twin brother, Lauren Benedict (Larry) Wahl-quist, were born on Oct. 10, 1933 in Omaha, Nebraska to Kenneth Dudley and Dot Sesler Wahlquist. Mr. Wahlquist was the retired President and Chief Executive Officer of Lone Star Life Insurance Company. Moving to Dallas in 1940, the Wahlquist family lived in what is now known as the "M Streets." Educated at Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, J.L. Long, and Woodrow Wilson High School, he was an outstanding student who was valedictorian of his high school class. He served as President of the Dallas County Junior Red Cross, and one his most memorable events was meeting Gen. George C. Marshall who was then president of the national organization. In a profile in the Woodrow Wilson News, Yvonne Erwin Work said that Jack's guiding principle was "service before self." This dominating motive, along with his intellectual strength, characterized the remainder of his life. To his great surprise, he was admitted to both Harvard and Yale with full scholarships. In a decision that he always maintained was the second best of his entire life only after his choice of a wife he elected to matriculate at Yale. Later he admitted that when he got on the train for Yale, he was not quite sure where New Haven, Conn. was. He had a distinguished academic record, resulting in a B.A., magna cum laude in 1955. In later years, he served for 10 years as chair of the committee that encouraged Dallas-area high school students to raise their sights to seek an education that they might not have considered within their grasp. After Yale, he enrolled at The University of Texas School of Law. A quirky student, he managed to be designated the "Outstanding First Year Law Student" with an active interest in wider campus issues. He was also Student Attorney General, and was appointed by his friend Harley Clark as interim Vice President of the Students Association. He was both a Texas Cowboy and Associate Editor of the Texas Law Review. He graduated in 1958 with a Doctor of Jurisprudence, with honors. Following law school, he enlisted with the Texas Air National Guard, serving as a clerk typist. Failing his only typing test miserably, he was apparently deemed unqualified to remain an enlisted man and was commissioned as a first lieutenant and later promoted to captain. He served as a Director of the National Guard Association of Texas. Reflecting on his success in the military, he proudly observed the Russians never attacked while he was on duty. Returning to Dallas, he both continued his insurance career and found the former Elizabeth Jean Bailey whom he married on July 8, 1960. They are parents of Laura Alice Wahlquist Stockdale and Elizabeth Jennifer Wahlquist Miars, both of Dallas. From his high school graduation, through undergraduate education, and following through law school he was employed and mentored at Great National Life Insurance in Dallas. Founded by Dallas legends S.J. Hay and Carl Weichsel, this home-town financial institution nurtured him through his formative years. Those two unsung leaders of Dallas encouraged this bright but untested young man to achieve his potential. He became Executive Vice President and Chief Operation Officer at the age of 32. After this company was sold, he served as a senior officer at Southland Insurance Company and Transport Life Insurance Company prior to joining Lone Star. Through a unique situation, Jack and his business partner, Royce Hunter, purchased Lone Star Life, a medium-sized regional company in 1986. Together, they turned the company into a successful national organization and sold it to Swiss Reinsurance in 2000. They then both retired. During his career, he served as President of the Yale Club of Dallas, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Dallas Theater Center, President of the Texas Association of Life Insurance Officials, Director of the Insurance Club of Dallas, the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), Goodwill Industries of Dallas, the Texas Historical Foundation and his Homeowners Association. He received a rare Distinguished Service Award from the ACLI. Following his retirement, he indulged himself in his lifelong interests in history and charitable institutions. As Director, Secretary, and Vice President of the Texas Historical Foundation he helped furthers its mission: to help preserve for future generations the knowledge for the great history of Texas. Traveling from Fort Davis to Nacogdoches, and from Amarillo to McAllen, he satisfied his thirst to understand the dynamics that have made Texas such a great state. His strong commitment to assisting the less fortunate enabled him to contribute generously to Yale, in recognition that the thoughtfulness of someone long ago had provided his academic scholarship. He was recognized by the Dallas chapter of the American Red Cross for his commitment to that organization since his high school days. He also supported the United Way, Austin Street Center, Goodwill and the Salvation Army. His parents, sister Dottie Jean Wahlquist Heyn, brother Kenneth Dudley Wahlquist II, twin and lifelong best friend, Larry Wahlquist, all predeceased him. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth Jean Bailey Wahlquist, their daughters Laura Stockdale and Jennifer Miars and her most helpful husband Gary Miars, their grandchildren, Rebecca and Ross Shwarts, Scott Stockdale and Ashley and Jack Miars. There will be a memorial service celebrated Friday, Oct. 20, 11:00 a.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, 14115 Hillcrest Road. Reception and celebration luncheon following at North-wood Country Club. In lieu of flowers, please consider donation to American Red Cross, Goodwill Industries, Austin Street Center or the .

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